Now
Overcast
74.0°
High
74°
Low
60°
Full Forecast

Coupon

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Local
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Cable board to look into competition

Comments 50 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

By DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - 08:21:31 pm CDT

The city’s Cable Advisory Board has little power over Lincoln’s only cable television provider, Time Warner Cable, but it can make plenty of noise.

And it continued to do so on Thursday by voting to look into the feasibility of more competition in Lincoln.

That is, assuming Mayor Chris Beutler gives the board the go-ahead.

Story Photo
(LJS file)
Cable TV issues

The Cable Advisory Board voted Thursday to investigate the following.
  • Whether the free market is providing or will provide Lincoln customers with satisfactory price, service and choice in cable TV service. If not, whether there are feasible options to change the current market.
  • Obstacles to cable TV competition in Lincoln and whether they can be removed.
  • Consequences of increased competition, such as the loss of city revenue from fees Time Warner pays.
  • How cable service in other similar-sized communities compares to Lincoln’s.

The board recently wrapped up a performance evaluation of Time Warner in connection with problems digital cable customers have experienced after the company dropped its Passport channel guide last year and switched to a company-created guide called Navigator.

The board has recommended Time Warner give subscribers 35 percent rebates on their bills “for beta testing Navigator without compensation or notice.”

But the board’s involvement didn’t end there. During its Thursday meeting, Chairman Jonathan Rehm proposed looking into competition  in response to customer concerns.

A subcommittee will look at the obstacles to competition and consequences, such as lost tax revenue.

Time Warner doesn’t have an exclusive franchise in Lincoln, and any competing cable TV provider could enter the market. But that would cost big bucks — very few cities have more than one cable TV company because it costs so much to build necessary infrastructure.

The board also voted to research and compare Lincoln’s cable service with that of 20 similar-sized communities and Omaha, Des Moines,  and Sioux City.

Time Warner spokeswoman Ann Shrewsbury attended the meeting and reiterated afterward that Time Warner faces competition in many forms, from satellite TV to Internet programming.

“We have never been in a more competitive environment,” she said.

While the Cable Advisory Board is a “very hard-working group of community volunteers,” Shrewsbury said she didn’t think they were equipped to do a “market analysis of competition.”

The board will take up the issue again during its July meeting.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Local > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Thank you! wrote on June 28, 2007 7:08 pm:
" For once, the city is moving in the right direction. I am sick and tired of TW's antics. Thank you, thank you! "
Kleenex... wrote on June 28, 2007 7:08 pm:
" Do you need a kleenex, Ms. Shrewsbury? You are some whiner! "
Finally wrote on June 28, 2007 7:15 pm:
" It's about time! Competition is what we needed a long time ago! "
Time Warner Spokesperson wrote on June 28, 2007 7:22 pm:
" Shrewsberry is a real problem, does anyone else remember the story that 10/11 ran a while back about how she had her identity stolen by an "ex-friend"...seriously..Journal Star reporters need to look it up...I'm sure it existed....and it was quite revealing about her..and her past! Credibility is an issue!!!! Especially when you are hired to represent a major enterprise like Time Warner. "
Kick Time Warner Cable out of Lincoln wrote on June 28, 2007 7:35 pm:
" Instead of competition, can't we just kick those incompetant morons out of town, and get a more customer friendly company like Cox or Comcast to just take over the existing infrastructure? It would be great to have a cable company in this town that has an idea of how to FAIRLY treat its customers. Nobody would miss Time Warner if they werent here, I know I sure wouldn't. The ad they ran recently about customer service is extremely laughable. "
Josh wrote on June 28, 2007 7:40 pm:
" Please get us a new cable company in Lincoln. We need it. "
Ernie Johnson wrote on June 28, 2007 8:05 pm:
" Thank the Lord! Beutler, give whatever cable company you can find that wants to come here whatever tax abatements they need to build their infrastructure and compete. I paid $177 for my digital cable, Internet and phone service last month. When I tried to e-mail and call TWC to find out why it was $40 more than the previous month, I got no response. Lincoln needs cable competition! "
Get a clue wrote on June 28, 2007 9:01 pm:
" The city can do NOTHING to create incentives to bring another cable company to Lincoln without giving those SAME incentives to Time Warner. What Time Warner has created it did from it's own pocketbook. About the only thing the city did was grant the franchise and allow TW to string their cable along existing phone polls. That's about all they can do for a competitor. If the Cable TV advisory board wants to "look into" the prospects of additional cable companies, go ahead. But if Comcast, Cox or anyone else wanted to come in to Lincoln, they likely would already be here by now. "
Nate wrote on June 28, 2007 9:03 pm:
" Yes! "
nitemare wrote on June 28, 2007 9:13 pm:
" Drop it! They've spent enough time on this issue. Do you really think any cable company would want to come to Lincoln after seeing and hearing all the whiny Lincoln people? For the last time - Time Warner has competition it's called Direct TV and Dish Network. Long Live Time Warner! "
Yes! wrote on June 28, 2007 9:35 pm:
" please allow another cable competitor in Lincoln! I have never paid as much as I have here - after living in the Omaha area or Sioux Falls. Time Warner's customer "service" is deplorable to boot! "
George wrote on June 28, 2007 9:54 pm:
" You people complaining need to call Time Warner and tell them to come pick up their equipment. Then, call DirecTV and get signed up with them. I get more channels, at a cheaper price than Time Warner. MUCH better customer service as well, which isn't saying much considering TW stinks. Just do your self a big favor...dump Time Warner, and go satellite. "
Why another cable company? wrote on June 28, 2007 10:04 pm:
" In most places, the local telephone companies are getting into cable television. Why not in Lincoln too? That lowers the "cost of infrastructure" considerably. Really, this is the only way Lincoln would see an alternative to Time Warner. There is always the two satellite companies too. For those lucky enough to own or live in a house where a small dish could be mounted. "
I just want wrote on June 28, 2007 10:27 pm:
" the option of getting Passport back. That, and something done about the problems with my Internet (my modem "dies" every once in awhile - and this is the 2nd one I've had in 6 years). However, if we can get another cable company (that is NOT Satellite), I'd use TWC only for Internet and switch over to another company for Cable. I can not get DSL due to phone line issues. "
No way wrote on June 28, 2007 10:35 pm:
" We don't need a study on cable competition. No other cable company will build a competing network in Lincoln because they'd spend tens of millions and probably a few hundred million. Time Warner spent a lot of money to build here but that was when they could get 100 percent of the cable customers. A second company would get at best 60-70 percent. And the second company would have to decide whether to build in the surround towns like Time Warner has done, or decide whether to leave that to Time Warner, and give up the revenue, too. So let's forget a second cable provider. What is much more likely is the possibility of someone like Windstream launching video services over a new technology--some form of IPTV (Internet Protocol TV). And IPTV is the coming technology, which is another reason a second cable company (using cable coax technology) won't come into a modest size city like Lincoln. They see the end of cable coax coming, so why spend millions? "
Go Dish wrote on June 28, 2007 11:59 pm:
" Dish Network got my business due to the problems and cost of Cable.... I have been very pleased with service, cost, reliablilty of the dish. Cable won't get my business back. "
mschrader1971 wrote on June 29, 2007 12:01 am:
" my dvr still locks up and doesnt work properly 1/2 the time i just want it FIXED or im considering TIVO!!!... Come on TWC lets get with it. "
Me too wrote on June 29, 2007 4:25 am:
" Here we go with more studies. Cables are expensive and in order for another company to come into town, the new company would need to supply new lines all over town, take several years to do it, and since the council and the mayor are so determined to make it work, this new company would get a break in about every are plus probably monetary help, now is that fair or is that fair, New studies cost money and we are already behind the eight ball with the budget. Get real council and mayor solve problems quit creating new ones. We are lucky to have a cable company like time warner in a small city like ours. "
fourdiamonds wrote on June 29, 2007 4:49 am:
" Get rid of the real problem out at TWC. The President Beth Scarsborough. She has no leadership skill. TWC needs to get rid of her and her staff including Shrewsbury. She is a puppet for the upper management of the company. "
.... wrote on June 29, 2007 7:05 am:
" It's a nice thought, but highly improbable to pull off. Cox may want to come in, but do you want your backyard torn up as they come through and install cable/equipment? Probably not. And to the guy who said kick TW out and let Cox take over the infrastructure: you do realize TW OWNS that stuff, right? You can't just go Hugo Chavez on them and say it's for the good of the city. "
Satelite TV is terrible wrote on June 29, 2007 7:12 am:
" For all of you Direct TV, Dish and other Satelite tv supports out there. Satelite tv is terrible. You must like the fact that if there is a couple of clouds in the sky you get nothing for a view. The ONLY solution for a decent picture is cable tv. Time warner howver, does a TERRIBLE Job with its customer service. Trust me I hate Time Warner as much if not more than anyone else. So to all you satelite tv supports go somewhere else to post you comments. We want and need an new cable company to help control costs. "
Sara wrote on June 29, 2007 7:33 am:
" You know you aren't required to have TWC. Protest and don't watch tv. "
Wrong! wrote on June 29, 2007 7:46 am:
" Don't listen to the scare tactics of the Time Warner Apologists. Remember that TW employees can post here, too. The info blindly sticking up for TW that is being posted here is false. When the Federal Government forced Bell Telephone to divest their successor companies didn't have to string new phone cables all across the country, they used the existing infrastructure that Bell Telephone had already created. That's what will happen here. Any new company that comes in will be able to use the existing infrastructure and will not have to create an entire new series of cables running throughout town. Think about it. "
Mrs. B wrote on June 29, 2007 8:11 am:
" Yes, bring on the competition. Wed. night a tech had to come to our house - AGAIN. First of all, they gave me a time slot of 5 to 9. He showed up 5 minutes till 9:00. I told them they needed to come early b/c my baby goes to sleep at 8:00 and the dog would bark when the tech came. Oh well. Secondly, he wanted to swap boxes - AGAIN. I told him that we're probably on our 7th or 8th box. All he had to say about it was "wow, you must have really bad luck, don't play the lottery." I'm soooo sick of these TWC people, especially Shrewbury, whom does nothing but make up a lot of excuses and blow smoke up our behinds!!! "
Finally wrote on June 29, 2007 8:29 am:
" Competition is the only way that TWC will do anything. They are not frightened of satelite since that particular product has difficulty in weather (it does, I have one at a separate locale), people don't want the dish hanging on their house, and many people have multiple tvs in their home. So, with that in mind, their only motivation to do anything about their service would be another cable company to compete, like a Cox cable or Comcast. "
Fed Up With TV-deprived Lincolnites wrote on June 29, 2007 10:15 am:
" First off, have any of you ever considered that Shrewsbury is only doing her job? Unless you're in that woman's shoes, I don't think you have the right to comment on her actions. She's correct in saying that our city council don't have the necessary expertise to perform research on fellow cable TV competition. Lincoln, get over this issue, you're wasting everyone's time, especially the city council's. It's just TV! It's not the end of the world and there are other options other than TWC. It just seems to me some people are too lazy to look into alternatives like satellite TV, and as a result everyone moans and complains. "
.... wrote on June 29, 2007 10:29 am:
" Not a TW employee nor an apologist. Just a realist here. The info I posted is not false. TW does own their cable infrastructure. If the city wants to divest them of it to allow a competitor, they can (as you stated). But do you think TW will not put up a fight? That's going to be a long and drawn out lawsuit. What the feds did to Ma Bell was to break up what they found to be a monopoly. TW does not have a monopoly here since competitors are allowed in and they are not stopping anyone from coming in. It's just no competitors want to step up and put the money down to do it. "
Captain Logic wrote on June 29, 2007 10:37 am:
" Considering how many people profess to be hardcore conservatives and want freedom from big government, it's very surprising so many people want the government to baby them now that their cable isn't working. What happened to your free market? Are you going socialist on us? Rush would be disappointed. Vote with your dollar. If all true conservatives stop buying from TWC, I guarantee they will start fixing problems. Conservatives of the world unite! "
pajeez wrote on June 29, 2007 10:46 am:
" If another cable company comes to lincoln the line to sign up for their service will be out their door and wrapped around the building. Time Warner Cable will have the same line to deal with, only those people will be turning in their inferior equipment. "
brad wrote on June 29, 2007 10:55 am:
" Cox, Quest, and the rest are just as bad as Time Warner. The state needs to look at all of them an hold them accountable to the contracts they sign with the city's and the customers... "
no more wrote on June 29, 2007 10:56 am:
" I came to the conclusion in March that TW is nothing but a monopoly that can not be stopped. They have to answer to no one. The city is wasting everyones time and money putting on a facade. I have since went to sat tv.. and am satisfied.... best thing everyone can do is do away with cable... the city cant help.. "
rb wrote on June 29, 2007 11:05 am:
" I've had Dish for two years. When there's a heavy rainstorm, I have reception problems, but other than that it works great. DVR has never failed me either. "
Idea wrote on June 29, 2007 11:14 am:
" I wish all Lincoln customers could just cancel their TWC service for a month. It would be nice to show TW how much it needs its customers. If nothing else, maybe it would at least make them consider providing better customer service once in a while. I was actually called a liar by one of the supervisors there over the phone once, believe it or not. That company stinks. It's too bad we don't have any other cable providers in town. I'd switch in a heartbeat. "
Lindsey wrote on June 29, 2007 11:26 am:
" Shrewsbury is disingenuous - at best! There is NO competition in Lincoln - from Cablevision to Time Warner, there never really has been. While competition would be better for Lincolnites, the real problem is lack of local control. The fact of the matter is no matter who Lincoln might entice into the local market - Cox, Comcast, Time Warner, etc.. are HUGE and unfortunately, even own some of the content that goes out over their own infrastructure. This means they have a monopoly on your lines AND what you see. Troubling, to say the least. I have Comcast here in Massachusetts, and I am NOT pleased with them - their stranglehold on both the cable and high-speed internet "markets" (let's call them what they really are - capitalist racketeering systems) is sickening, and so are their deceptive advertising practices. Lincoln should go further than just bringing in "competition" - that would offer the same terrible programming for the same exorbitant costs - and take a step towards the real future of television: community-controlled access. Not just public-access channels, but true local control over the infrastructure and greater input into content. Don't settle for monopolies, duopolies or oligarchies - and don't be fooled into thinking the "free market" is good for you or your television. "
steph wrote on June 29, 2007 11:31 am:
" Taking back TV cable lines isn't about "going Hugo Chavez", but its about maintaining democratic control over television - which, from the start, was supposed to be a public good, not a private profit-making machine. there's no reason why the cable infrastructure can't be shared. the companies have simply been allowed by the government to claim that's the case. a cable line is a cable line is a cable line - it should be up to us, as consumers, who to pay to bring us what we see. Lincoln should take over cable lines and open up service to competition, plain and simple. End Time Warner's monopoly and give Lincolnites a real choice for a change. TV belongs to the community, not the cable companies. "
JR wrote on June 29, 2007 11:34 am:
" SATELLITE providers such as Dish Network and DirecTV don't drop the signal if there ARE a "couple of clouds in the sky." I maybe lose my picture at most three, maybe four, times a year during really big storms that happen to be directly above Lincoln, and even then it's only for a few minutes. I dumped cable service nearly five years ago for DirecTV -- and I would never consider going back. Sure DirecTV isn't perfect, but the minor inconvenience of momentarily losing a signal is well worth the upsides I receive in customer service, programming and cost that are far superior to anything I ever experienced from Time Warner/CableVision. "
To: Satelite TV is terrible wrote on June 29, 2007 11:38 am:
" Excuse me? I've had DirecTV for the past three years. I think in that time frame, I've lost my picture due to weather maybe four times. The loss of picture lasted no longer than five minutes. Adding up all the lost satellite time comes to no more than the times my cable use to go down. Perhaps the satellite that you know of was not installed properly? Perhaps even more, you work for the cable company and are trying to spread that old urban myth. "
jb wrote on June 29, 2007 12:35 pm:
" Hey Lindsy why don't we just all turn communist and let the governmet own and control everything "
Scott wrote on June 29, 2007 1:05 pm:
" Blah, Blah, Blah gotta see it to believe it, the lobbiest will wine, dine, and payoff the right people to keep the competition outta here, haven't you realized that by now? Its all about politics and money. Do you really think this city and its all it government officials really care about the people? "
what? wrote on June 29, 2007 1:10 pm:
" do all you people out there realize that when you say "get TW out of here" you are asking for probably about 300 of our friends and family to lose their jobs? not many of the people there I'm sure made the decision to give us these problems and are there working to try and make things right. also, if TW up and left tomorrow, what would you do? i'm sure most of you who are complaining for them to leave would be back on here complaining that they left. "
r wrote on June 29, 2007 1:43 pm:
" There would be much of a fight. TWC would lose the fight to not allow anyother cable company to use their lines. It wouldn't take much time at all to win that. i am not even a lawyer and I could beat them in court on that one. So please satelite tv is not a comparable option. And to those who think "its only tv" you seem to need yours enough to make a switch to your dish for the purpose of better service. Just like we want, only on a cloudy day we will actually get to watch tv. unlike you dish people "
response to "what?" wrote on June 29, 2007 1:53 pm:
" I don't care if 3,000 of our friends and neighbors lose their jobs. Apparently they are not very good at them anyway. If TW pulls out tomoorow. Aagain who cares there will be another cable company here within hours. Either way I would rather go without tv then to switch back to driect tv or dish. Both dishes go down with the slightest hint of a cloud or "oh my" the wind has picked up to 15mph. Satelite tv is not an option "
Long Beach Andy wrote on June 29, 2007 3:32 pm:
" I have recently moved to Los Angeles and am now a Charter subscriber. Not only is it cheaper, but the cable box actally works and the Info button actually gives you relevant data about the program you're viewing. Did I mention I live in LA and it's CHEAPER? "
question wrote on June 29, 2007 3:52 pm:
" so, has navigator gone nation wide yet or is it still in beta testing??? "
something new wrote on June 29, 2007 4:19 pm:
" It's time for a change in Lincoln. TW had more than one chance and blew it. Many have stayed with TW because satellite isn't much better. Cheaper, yes, better not really. I personally would rather have cable and if I had a choice, TW would not be it. I would love to give Cox, Quest, or Comcast a chance. A chance at a lower bill, friendly customer service, and treating customers with respect by not giving them a product that was supposedly a "beta" release. Let's face it, if most any other company test marketed software of that quality there would be more than just irate customers. "
About Time wrote on June 29, 2007 4:59 pm:
" It is about time that we actually had some competition in this town. Other cities have more than one cable company and they are able to get cheaper rates. Cable & internet is SO expensive through time warner that a single person who works full time & lives alone can simply NOT afford to pay on top of everything else.... "
kevin wrote on June 29, 2007 9:36 pm:
" ban cable and make satellite companies the only means for television service. "
Lola wrote on June 29, 2007 10:10 pm:
" Pretty soon we'll be getting our television programs through our computers, so the time is now to start paying attention to what the Federal Communications Commission does in regard to Internet issues. Commissioners are appointed, so if you want a consumer-friendly Internet, vote for a consumer-friendly presidential candidate. "
Sriyani wrote on June 29, 2007 11:39 pm:
" Just wanted to add my comments on Shrewsbury. She is truly an incredible human being. I have seen her help so many needy folk in the city. TWC also has been a supporter of many of the programs in the city in terms of education the arts and more. The "stolen Identity story" is one where she actually contacted the culprit after she was identified, who by the way was not her ex friend, and she forgave her for stealing her identity and messing up her credit. She adviced the woman to turn a new leaf and not do this type of activity again. Some days later, the woman did turn a new leaf. She gave herself up to the police, served time and paid back all the money to the credit card companies and cleared Shrewsbury's name ...so I would not call this shady by any means. By the way did you know that Shrewsbury and her daughter, took no pay leave and vacation time and did tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka for almost one month. And TWC did support this too. And finally, I would like to add that there are many real issues in the world, my cable and road runner works fine, maybe all of you should find something more meaningful to write about than TWC. Read the international pages in the Journal Star and there are really horrible things happening in the world and even in the US. We are so spoilt in US that our TV has a small issue we get livid. It is really not a big deal! Enjoy your summer. "
tortis wrote on June 30, 2007 7:01 am:
" I just wish time warner would sue the city. These beuracrats are starting to act like the natzies. Pretty soon we will be saying Hiel buetler. and Hiel Jonathan, and heil marvin, etc. etc. etc. My hope is that the feds come in and say to the city council and the mayor back off and get a real job. "

Ads by Yahoo!